NEW YORK, Oct 06 (IPS) – It isn’t a secret that the world is witnessing rising worldwide tensions and erosion of the worldwide order that has been in place for the reason that institution of the United Nations. Divisive blocs, which haven’t been seen for the reason that Chilly Warfare, are making a swift return. In consequence, our planet is dealing with extreme threats, together with a brand new world arms race, the specter of the usage of nuclear weapons, and the proliferation of wars in all codecs, together with sizzling, hybrid, cyber, and commerce.
On this environment of rigidity and rising geopolitical turbulences, it’s vitally vital to develop new approaches to strengthening inter-civilizational dialogue and belief.
Diplomacy is, undoubtedly, key to facilitating cooperation. Kazakhstan has all the time supported fixing disputes solely on the negotiating desk primarily based on the UN Constitution. Our nation has persistently promoted rules aimed toward reaching lasting peace, safety, and sustainable progress internationally.
Regardless of finest efforts, conflicts stay ubiquitous in lots of areas of the world.
To construct a brand new system of worldwide safety, the world requires a brand new world motion for peace. I imagine the position of non secular leaders might be indispensable right here. Roughly 85% of the world’s individuals determine with a faith, making it a major think about our lives.
Spiritual leaders due to this fact have a major affect on world affairs. Furthermore, the sacred worth of human life, mutual assist, and the rejection of harmful rivalry and hostility are a set of rules shared by all religions. In consequence, I’m satisfied that these rules can kind the premise of a brand new world system.
How can non secular leaders assist push for world peace?
How can this work in observe?
Firstly, non secular leaders can contribute to therapeutic the injuries of hatred following a permanent battle. Syria is a working example. Kazakhstan welcomes the truth that hostilities have all however led to that nation. We’re glad to have contributed to this by the Astana Course of peace talks, which since 2017 facilitated negotiations between representatives of the Syrian authorities, the opposition, in addition to Turkey, Iran, and Russia.
But whereas the new section of the battle is over, the divisions throughout the nation stay. Religious leaders can play an vital position in therapeutic Syrian society by the ability of faith.
Secondly, human nature is contradictory. There’ll all the time be provocations and hatred. Current actions to burn the holy Quran in a variety of northern European nations are adverse tendencies that undermine the tradition of tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceable coexistence. On this regard, the focused communication of non secular leaders in stopping such conditions and tendencies is essential.
Thirdly, new applied sciences are radically altering all spheres of human life. These modifications are largely for the higher, together with improved healthcare, limitless data on-line, and ease of communication and journey. On the similar time, we observe how societies are being fragmented and polarized beneath the affect of digital expertise.
Within the new digital actuality, additionally it is essential to domesticate religious values and ethical tips. Faith has a key position to play right here, too, as all faiths are primarily based on humanistic beliefs, recognition of the supreme worth of human life, and the aspiration for peace and creation.
These elementary rules needs to be embodied not solely within the religious sphere, but in addition within the socioeconomic improvement of nations and worldwide politics.
With out reliance on humanistic beliefs and ethics, the fast scientific-technological revolution can lead humanity astray. We’re already witnessing such debates with the appearance of common synthetic intelligence.
Finally, ethical authority and the phrase of religious leaders is essential as we speak.
That’s the reason I’m proud that for 20 years, Kazakhstan has been internet hosting the triennial Congress of Spiritual Leaders. Established in 2003 in direct response to the rise in interfaith disagreements and extremism following the 9/11 terrorist assault in the US, the Congress has strengthened interfaith dialogue by bringing collectively non secular leaders.
It has enabled significant dialogue on methods to mix efforts to advertise higher understanding between representatives of various cultures and spiritual communities.
Previous to changing into the president of Kazakhstan in 2019, I had the dignity to function head of the Secretariat of the Congress.
I noticed how the Congress promoted tolerance and mutual respect in distinction to hatred and extremism.
Final yr, our nation held the Seventh Congress of Spiritual Leaders. It was attended by delegations from 50 nations, together with representatives of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Shintoism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and different religions. I used to be honored to welcome Pope Francis, the second go to by the pinnacle of the Catholic Church to Kazakhstan following the go to by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
Over the previous twenty years, the Congress grew to become a platform for inter-civilizational dialogue on the world stage. I imagine it made a major contribution to Kazakhstan’s success in forging a steady and harmonious society from a inhabitants made up of greater than 100 ethnic teams and 18 confessions that stay in peace in our nation as we speak.
By its dedication to non secular tolerance and human rights, Kazakhstan units an instance for the world, showcasing the significance of interfaith dialogue in making a extra peaceable and harmonious world society.
Because the world continues to be embroiled in political uncertainty, a bridge of rapprochement between cultures and civilizations is required greater than ever. I’m decided to make sure that Kazakhstan facilitates world dialogue between religions and nations, together with by the work of the Congress of Spiritual Leaders, thus contributing to mutual understanding and respect in societies.
The author is the president of Kazakhstan.
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